The Mahinda Rajapaksa camp is preparing nomination lists to contest from a separate party, in the event that he is denied nominations from the SLFP or the UPFA, political reports said.

 

President Maithripala Sirisena earlier denied Rajapaksa's request to contest for the election under the SLFP. Sirisena promised an appointment from the national list as the maximum compromise. However, Rajapaksa wanted to contest the election from Ratnapura District or Kurunegala District.

 

Meanwhile, most of the prominent Rajapaksa supporters are unlikely to get nominations from SLFP, a party source recently told Asian Mirror.

 

Under these circumstances, the Rajapaksa camp is preparing for any possible alternative, reports said.